Published on 30 June 2026
Council is reminding residents that securing their pets is one of the simplest and most important ways to keep our communities safe.
Council's Community Safety team has seen a significant increase in reports of wandering dogs across the region, along with an increase in dog attack incidents.
While many people believe their dog would never cause harm, even normally friendly dogs can become involved in incidents when roaming unsupervised.
Wandering dogs can:
For victims of dog attacks, the impacts can be significant and long-lasting. Preventing these incidents starts with responsible pet ownership.
Council encourages all dog owners to regularly check fences and gates, ensure yards are secure, and take steps to prevent their dogs from leaving their property.
In a region as large as the Maranoa, Council officers cannot be everywhere at once. Keeping dogs safely contained is a shared responsibility that helps protect pets, neighbours, livestock and the wider community.
If you see a wandering dog, report it to Council. Better still, let's work together to prevent these incidents before they occur.
My Pet. My Responsibility.